Taman Negara (National Park) is the first and the oldest official Protected Area in the country, which was originally named as King George V National Park. Declared in 1938 by the Sultans of Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu (during King George's Silver Jubilee), it was gazette to preserve the land's indigenous nature in perpetuity. The park was renamed Taman Negara after the nation gained independence in 1957.
Taman Negara is the largest of all Protected Areas in Peninsular Malaysia with 4,343 sq. km. The Pahang section of the park is the largest at 2,477 sq. km., followed by Kelantan's portion at 1,043 sq. km. and Terengganu's at 853 sq. km. The Peninsular's highest peak, Gunung Tahan at 2,187 m. is within the confines of Taman Negara and is in Pahang's section.
Taman Negara is indeed one of the oldest rainforests in the world, estimated at 130 million years old. The abundance and diversity of nature is phenomenal, one of the world's most complex and rich ecosystems.
Managed by Jabatan PERHILITAN (Department of Wildlife and National Parks), Taman Negara's future is secured with the appended stated objectives:
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To protect and conserve the flora and fauna in Taman Negara and to maintain the tropical rainforest ecosystem.
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To propagate species of flora and fauna.
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To manage Taman Negara as a sustainable recreational area.
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To conserve all objects and places of historical, aesthetic or scientific interest.
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To provide a natural lab for research on species and habitat found in the tropical rainforest for management purposes.
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